Six sporting scholars were recognised yesterday for outstanding achievements in the classroom and in their respective sports.

Cheered on by an audience of teachers, parents, other relatives and classmates, the winners of the annual Denton Hurdle Memorial Awards basked in the spotlight as they received their prizes at St. Paul's Church Hall.

The awardees - a boy and girl each from the primary, middle and secondary schools - were smothered in congratulations, hugs and kisses as their accomplishments were toasted and upheld as examples of excellence for their young peers.

At primary level, Danila Martin of Somerset Primary and Heron Bay's Roger Lee Jr were adjudged the top scholar athletes while Allison Conyers of Bermuda High School and Oronde Bascome of Clearwater took the middle school honours. Saltus Grammar School's Jeannah Robinson and Warwick Academy's head boy Ryan Swan were the honourees from among an impressive list of secondary school students.

"I am very excited. I can't believe I won. I was nominated when I was younger but I didn't win. This is a shock and I am so happy," declared 17-year-old Robinson.

Though well-known for her exploits in field hockey, she also plays basketball, badminton, softball and "anything else you want me to play". Her strong academic record has gained her acceptance to the prestigious Stanford University in the United States to study biology. Robinson credited her parents, her hockey coach and teacher for supporting her myriad endeavours.

Swan's physical education teacher, Mark Thorne, sang his prize pupil's praises as the latter was absent for his moment of glory.

"I've taught Ryan for five years and I am extremely proud of him, not only for his sporting accomplishments but for his academic ones as well. He is awesome in every sport he's involved in and he has scored above 80 percent in every subject since he started at Warwick," said Thorne of the 16-year-old who this year became the youngest player to represent the Island in Davis Cup tennis.

Noting Swan's involvement in several extra-curricular activities, his teacher said the talented teenager was scheduled to represent Bermuda at a youth conference in Washington DC and New York this summer.

"I don't know how he gets through the day because he has so much on his plate."

Conyers, 14, was extremely surprised that she beat out Kalita Furbert of Sandys and Clearwater's Latroya Darrell in the middle schools category.

"I am honoured. It's really a surprise because when I am playing sports I am just having fun. I like being out on the field and competing. I also like to work hard and achieve my goals but I am not thinking about prizes when I am playing sports or doing my schoolwork," she said.

National cricketer Herbie Bascome and his wife Carla were present as their son, Oronde - an avid cricketer, footballer and cross-country runner - received his award.

"I'm very proud. He has worked hard and it's paid off. We don't have to tell him to do his work. He is very self-motivated and disciplined. He has learnt how to balance his education and sports.

"He was nominated in primary school but he didn't win so I am happy for him now. He deserves it," said Carla Bascome of her 14-year-old son.

Soft-spoken Oronde - an Under-15 national cricketer - was honoured to receive the award because "Denton Hurdle was a great sportsman" and being given this prize means he can aspire to the heights Hurdle achieved in his lifetime.

Danila Martin, 11, and Lee, 10, both thanked their parents and teachers for motivating them to do their best. Martin, an energetic runner, with an average of more than 80 percent in almost every subject, said she concentrated on schoolwork during the week and left playing until the weekend. Her mom, Rosalie Martin, and her games teacher, Renee Heyliger, were not surprised by her success, both noting she was dedicated to whatever she does.

Lee, who plays basketball, baseball and other sports, was surprised not only to be nominated but to beat 12 other primary schoolboys for the award. He singled out his dad, Roger Lee Sr., for taking him to his sports and for coaching him.